Proximate Composition and Mineral Content of the Land Crab Sudanonautes africanus

Abstract

The proximate and valuable minerals were determined in freshwater crabs. Samples were collected from male and female exoskeleton, flesh and whole body. The samples were subjected to proximate analysis using methods recommended by the Association of Analytical Chemists (AOAC) and with the aid of spectrophotometer for the determination of the mineral content of the crabs. The results showed that in the exoskeleton samples, crude protein was the highest in the male with value of 39.84±0.25% while in the flesh samples, carbohydrate was the highest in the male with 41.59±0.27% and in the whole body sample, and carbohydrate was the highest in the female flesh with 57.89±0.28%. Nine minerals were analyzed. Sudanonautes africanus was found to be rich in Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, and Phosphorus. Information on the nutrient composition of S. africanus is needed to encourage the processing, utilization and marketing of this commonest species of West Africa. Nutritive values recorded in this S. africanus suggest that the species could be employed as an alternative dietary supplement of protein and minerals.